Nursing Elites

1. A unit director at a local hospital knows even leadership may face ethical dilemmas. Which of the following should the director take into consideration when dealing with an employee who is incompetent?

• A. The situation should be tolerated for as long as possible because of the amount of time and paperwork required to terminate an incompetent nurse.
• B. Incompetence only impacts the individual nurse.
• C. The director should follow her institution�s formal process for reporting and handling practices that jeopardize patient safety.
• D. Most nurse practice acts direct how to handle incompetent nurses.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The director should follow her institution�s formal process for reporting and handling practices that jeopardize patient safety.

2. A nurse manager has two out of six staff nurses call in sick for one shift. Because of reduced availability of staff, the manager decides to manage the unit with the three remaining nurses, which keeps the unit at minimal staffing standards. What type of decision-making strategy would this be?

• A. Satisficing
• B. Routine
• C. Adaptive
• D. Rationalizing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Satisficing is the correct decision-making strategy in this scenario. The nurse manager is not aiming for the best solution but rather choosing an alternative that is good enough given the circumstances of staff shortage. Choice B, Routine, does not apply here as the situation is not part of the manager's regular tasks. Choice C, Adaptive, involves adjusting to new conditions, which is not the primary focus in this scenario. Choice D, Rationalizing, does not fit as the decision made is more about finding an acceptable solution rather than justifying it.

3. What is the main focus of health literacy initiatives?

• A. To promote the use of medical jargon
• B. To improve patient communication skills
• C. To ensure that patients understand their health information
• D. To reduce the use of electronic health records

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main focus of health literacy initiatives is to ensure that patients understand their health information. By improving patient comprehension, individuals can make informed decisions about their health, leading to better health outcomes. Promoting the use of medical jargon would have the opposite effect, making health information less accessible. Improving patient communication skills is important but not the primary focus of health literacy initiatives. Electronic health records are tools for managing health information and not directly related to the main goal of health literacy initiatives.

4. An RN cared for a state senator during the day shift. Later that day he was having dinner with friends when the news mentioned the senator had been hospitalized. The RN�s friends asked if he knew what was wrong with the senator. Which ethical principle should the RN consider when replying?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Confidentiality
• C. Veracity
• D. Accountability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The RN should consider the ethical principle of confidentiality when replying.

5. What is the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee?

• A. To oversee patient safety initiatives
• B. To develop staffing policies and procedures
• C. To coordinate patient care
• D. To manage nurse recruitment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee is to develop staffing policies and procedures to ensure adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. By establishing these guidelines, the committee aims to optimize patient care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, which in turn can enhance patient safety and coordination of care. While overseeing patient safety initiatives and managing nurse recruitment are important aspects of healthcare management, the core function of a nurse staffing committee is to create and implement policies that govern the allocation and distribution of nursing staff to meet patient care needs effectively. Therefore, choices A, C, and D, though relevant to healthcare, do not align with the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee as outlined in the question.

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